EX-10.3






Exhibit 10.3




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of
January 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Metalico, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter referred to as “Employer”), and Carlos E. Agüero (hereinafter referred to as
“Executive”).



W I T N E S S E T H:




WHEREAS, Employer desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by
Employer, as President and Chief Executive Officer subject to the direction and control of
Employer, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;



NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the mutual covenants hereinafter set
forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:



1. Employment, Duties and Acceptance.



1.1 Employment by Employer. Employer employs Executive, as of the Effective Date, to render
full-time services as President and Chief Executive Officer and to manage its operations and that
of its subsidiaries, and to serve in such capacity for the benefit of Employer and its
subsidiaries. Executive will perform the duties that are consistent with such position as he shall
reasonably be directed to perform by Employer.



1.2 Acceptance of Employment. Executive accepts such employment and shall render the services
described above.



1.3 Place of Employment. Executive’s principal place of employment shall be Employer’s
business location in Cranford, Union County, New Jersey, subject to such reasonable travel as the
rendering of the services hereunder may require.



2. Term. The term of Executive’s employment by Employer hereunder shall be for a period of
three (3) years from the Effective Date terminating on December 31, 2012 (the “Employment Period”),
subject to the termination provisions of Section 6 hereof.



3. Base Salary. During the Employment Period, for all services rendered by Executive under
this Agreement, Employer shall pay Executive annual salaries (each a “Base Salary”, the term “Base
Salary” as used in this Agreement referring to the appropriate Base Salary as in effect from time
to time) of: (i) for 2010, $398,591; (ii) for 2011, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Base
Salary for 2010 and (B) the Annual Adjustment for 2011; and (iii) for 2012, an amount equal to the
sum of (A) the Base Salary for 2011 and (B) the Annual Adjustment for 2012. Each Base Salary shall
be payable in accordance with the customary payroll policy of Employer in effect at the time such
payment is made, or as may otherwise be mutually agreed upon by the parties. A Base Salary may be
increased from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors, taking into account the
growth and earnings of Employer and its subsidiaries. In addition, Employer shall provide to
Executive an automobile with applicable insurance comparable with other members of senior
management. For all purposes under this Agreement:




	 	(a)	 	“Annual Adjustment” for any given year means an amount equal to
the product of (i) the Base Salary for the immediately preceding year times
(ii) the applicable CPI Multiplier; and






	 	(b)	 	“CPI Multiplier” shall mean the change, expressed as a
percentage, in the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners and clerical
workers, U.S. City Average, All Items (1982-1984=100) published by the United
States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics or the most recent
successor of that index (the “CPI”) (i) for the Annual Adjustment for 2008,
from the third-quarter average of 2006 to the third-quarter average for 2007,
and (ii) for the Annual Adjustment for 2009, from the third-quarter average of
2007 to the third-quarter average for 2008; provided, however, that (A)
if the change in the CPI for any measuring period is less than 3.5%, then the
CPI Multiplier as determined from such change shall be 3.5%, and (B) if the
change in the CPI for any measuring period is greater than 7%, then the CPI
Multiplier as determined from such change shall be 7%.





Employer agrees that during the term of this Agreement Executive’s Base Salary shall not be reduced
below its then-current level unless a salary reduction is imposed by Employer generally on a
group-wide basis as a result of financial difficulty, in which case Executive shall be subject to
the same salary reduction as other employees of Employer within the identified group.



3.1 Incentive Stock Options and Bonus Plan. Executive shall be eligible to participate in
Employer’s Executive Bonus Plan, 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), and any other benefit
or compensation plans made available to Employer’s executive officers from time to time. Awards
shall be made at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of Employer’s Board of Directors (the
“Board”) not less often than annually with amounts based on individual and Employer performance.
Grants of stock options and other equity interests, under the LTIP’s or otherwise, shall be subject
to the provisions of the LTIP’s or other appropriate governing or chartering documentation for such
plan or plans, including vesting requirements and terms for determining an exercise or strike
price, except as expressly superseded by the terms of this Agreement.



3.2 Changes in Common Stock of Employer. If from time to time during the term of this
Agreement:




	 	(a)	 	there is a dividend of any security, stock split or other
change in the character or amount of any of the outstanding securities of
Employer; or






	 	(b)	 	there is any consolidation, merger, or sale of all, or
substantially all, of the assets of Employer,





then, in such event, any and all new, substituted or additional securities or other property to
which Executive is entitled by reason of his ownership of stock options, stock grants, stock
purchases, or the shares deliverable upon their exercise or purchase shall be immediately subject
to the provisions of this Agreement and be included on a pro rata basis based upon the number of
vested and unvested shares then held by Executive for all purposes under this Agreement with the
same force and effect as the stock presently subject to this Agreement and with respect to which
such securities or property were distributed. Whenever a specific number of stock options, stock
grants, or stock purchases are stated in this Agreement, that number shall be amended so as to
reflect the original intention of the parties.



4. Benefits. Executive shall be entitled, during each calendar year, to five (5) weeks paid
vacation. Vacation shall vest with Executive on the first day of each calendar year. Executive
shall also be entitled to holidays and sick leave, and shall, along with his spouse and family, be
eligible for participation in such group insurance program, including hospitalization, major
medical, life, vision and dental as are afforded general management of Employer. Employer shall
provide in Executive’s name term life insurance in the face amount of not less than Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500,000), and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.2, Employer may elect to
provide disability insurance. Employer agrees to reimburse Executive for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in the fulfillment of his duties hereunder, including
travel expenses. Such reimbursements will be made promptly, within thirty (30) days of Executive’s
submission to Employer of an itemized list of such expenses, together with receipts therefor
indicating the date upon and the purpose for which such expenses were incurred and such other
information as may be reasonably required from time to time by Employer to substantiate such
expenditures for federal income tax purposes.



5. Status as Employee. At all times during the Employment Period, Executive shall be deemed
to be an Executive of Employer for purposes of determining Executive’s coverage under and
eligibility to participate in, any Executive benefit plans or programs which Employer now has or
may hereafter initiate. In the event it is necessary to amend any such plan or program in order to
assure that Executive is not discriminated against thereunder, Employer will promptly use its best
efforts to make all such amendments or cause the same to be made.



6. Termination.



6.1 Termination upon Death. If Executive dies during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate, except that the representative of Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive
within 30 days the compensation herein provided for the month in which death occurs and the amount
accrued and payable under Section 4 hereof, except as otherwise stated herein. All unvested options
granted to Executive will immediately be 100% fully vested and all rights and privileges granted
Executive shall accrue to Executive’s estate.



6.2 Termination upon Disability. If during the Employment Period Executive becomes physically
or mentally disabled, whether totally or partially, so that Executive is unable substantially to
perform his services hereunder for (i) a period of six consecutive months, or (ii) for shorter
periods aggregating six months during any consecutive twelve-month period (Executive’s condition of
disability for such period hereinafter referred to as “Disability”), Employer may, at its option,
at any time after the last day of the six consecutive months of Disability or the day on which such
shorter periods of Disability during any consecutive twelve-month period equal an aggregate of six
months, by written notice to Executive, terminate the Employment Period. Nothing in this Section
6.2 shall be deemed to extend the Employment Period. Upon such termination, Executive shall be
entitled to receive within 30 days the compensation herein provided for the month in which
termination occurs and the amount accrued and payable under Section 4 hereof, except as otherwise
stated herein. All unvested options granted the Executive will immediately be 100% fully vested.



6.3 Termination for Cause. If Executive (a) neglects his duties hereunder and such gross
neglect shall not be discontinued promptly after written notice thereof, (b) is convicted of any
felony, (c) fails or refuses to comply with the reasonable written policies of Employer or
directives of the executive officers of Employer that are not inconsistent with his position and
such failure shall not be discontinued promptly after written notice thereto, or (d) materially
breaches affirmative or negative covenants or undertakings hereunder and such breach shall not be
remedied promptly, evidenced by proper Employer documentation or other written notice to Executive
(the terms of clauses (a) through (d) of this Section 6.3 referred to collectively as “Cause”),
then Employer may at any time, upon thirty days written notice to Executive, terminate the
Employment Period. Upon such termination, Executive shall have no right to receive unvested
options, grants or any compensation or benefit from Employer hereunder except for accrued and
unpaid salary and vacation to the date of termination which shall be paid within 30 days.



6.4 Termination by Employer for Any Other Reason. If Executive’s employment hereunder shall
be terminated by Employer for any reason other than as provided under Sections 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3 of
this Agreement, and in addition to accrued and unpaid salary and vacation to the date of
termination, Employer shall pay to Executive, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount
equal to 100% of the annual Base Salary of Executive as of the date of termination. Such amount
shall be payable (i) in a lump sum immediately subsequent to the date of such termination in the
event of a termination in connection with, upon, or within one year after a Change in Control (as
hereinafter defined), or a termination by Executive for Good Reason (as hereinafter defined) in
connection with, upon, or within one year after a Change in Control, and (ii) in installments
commencing immediately in accordance with the customary payroll policy of Employer in effect at the
time such payment is made in the event of any other termination governed by this Section 6.4.
Executive shall also be entitled to a continuation, at Employer’s expense, of all health and
medical benefits and life insurance provided under Section 4 herein for the twelve-month period
following such termination of employment so long as such continuation of coverage is permitted
under Employer’s benefit plans and applicable law; provided, however, that such coverage
shall terminate if Executive commences employment with a subsequent employer within such
twelve-month period at such time as Executive’s coverage under such subsequent employer’s benefit
plans becomes effective. If any such continuation of coverage is not permitted under Employer’s
benefit plans and applicable law, Employer shall pay the monthly premium payments as and when due
for any equivalent alternative coverage such as COBRA payments or the like. It is expressly agreed
and understood that said payments of liquidated damages will be in complete satisfaction of any and
all claims, liabilities and damages of any nature whatsoever relating to or growing out of
Executive’s employment or Employer’s termination without Cause of Executive’s employment, except as
otherwise stated herein. All payments under this Section 6.4 shall be conditioned upon execution
and delivery by the Executive within 30 days of his termination of an appropriate mutual release by
Executive and Employer which release shall be provided to the Executive within 5 days of his
termination). All unvested options and stock grants granted to Executive shall immediately be 100%
fully vested as of the date of any termination under this Section 6.4.



6.5 Voluntary Termination.



6.5.1 General. In the event Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with Employer,
during or after the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to accrued and unpaid salary and
vacation to the date of such termination within 30 days of termination but otherwise shall have no
right to any compensation or benefit from Employer hereunder except as expressly stated herein.



6.5.2 Good Reason. In the event Executive voluntarily resigns from his employment with
Employer during the Employment Period for Good Reason (as hereinafter defined), Executive shall be
entitled to all compensation and benefits provided under Section 6.4 as though such resignation
were deemed to be a termination thereunder.



6.6 Change in Control.



6.6.1 Stock Options and Grants. Employer and Executive hereby acknowledge that, from time to
time, Employer has issued and may in the future issue to Executive options to purchase shares of
the capital stock of Employer, either pursuant to the LTIP’s, this Agreement, or otherwise (the
“Options”). Employer and Executive hereby agree that if there is a Change in Control of Employer,
then all of the Options and grants then issued and outstanding to Executive shall automatically and
immediately become vested and exercisable (the “Vested Options”). The date on which the Change in
Control occurs shall be the “Vesting Date.” Executive’s right to exercise the Vested Options shall
expire as provided under the LTIP’s or in any applicable option or granting agreement (an “Option
Agreement”) between Employer and Executive with respect to Vested Options governed by such Option
Agreement.



6.6.2 No Mitigation; No Offset. In the event of any termination of Executive’s employment
under this Agreement, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment, and there
shall be no offset against amounts due under this Agreement on account of any remuneration
attributable to any subsequent employment that Executive may obtain.



6.7 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:



6.7.1 “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of: (i) the acquisition at any time by a
“person” or “group” (as those terms are used in Sections 13(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding, for this purpose, Employer or any subsidiary or
any Executive benefit plan of Employer or any subsidiary) of beneficial ownership (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly, of securities representing 50% or more
of the combined voting power in the election of directors of the then-outstanding securities of
Employer or any successor of Employer; (ii) the termination of service as directors, for any reason
other than death or disability, from the Board, during any period of two (2) consecutive years or
less, of individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted a majority of the Board,
unless the election of or nomination for election of each new director during such period was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors still in office who were directors at
the beginning of the period; (iii) approval by the stockholders of Employer of any merger or
consolidation or statutory share exchange as a result of which the common stock of Employer shall
be changed, converted or exchanged (other than a merger or share exchange with a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Employer) or liquidation of Employer or any sale or disposition of 50% or more of the
assets or earning power of Employer except for a tax free distribution of any portion of Employer
to its shareholders; or (iv) approval by the stockholders of Employer of any merger or
consolidation or statutory share exchange to which Employer is a party as a result of which the
persons who were stockholders of Employer immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or
consolidation or statutory share exchange shall have beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the
combined voting power in the election of directors of the surviving corporation following the
effective date of such merger or consolidation or statutory share exchange. “Change in Control”
shall not include any reduction in ownership by Employer of a subsidiary of Employer or any other
entity designated by the Board in which Employer owns at least a 50% interest (including, but not
limited to, partnerships and joint ventures.)



6.7.2 “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence, without Executive’s prior written consent, of
any of the following events:




(i) a substantial reduction of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, or status as an
officer (except temporarily during any period of disability), or Executive being required to
report to any person other than the Board, provided that, if Executive retains
similar title, authority, and status with Employer or any entity that acquires Employer (or
any affiliate or subsidiary of such entity) following a Change of Control, the parties agree
that any change in the title of Executive shall not constitute a significant reduction of
Executive’s duties and authorities hereunder;




(ii) a change in the office or location where Executive is based on the date of this
Agreement of more than thirty (30) miles, which new location is more than sixty (60) miles
from Executive’s primary residence; or




(iii) a breach by Employer of any material term of this Agreement.



provided that a termination by Executive with Good Reason shall be effective only if
Executive delivers a notice of termination for Good Reason to Employer, and Employer within sixty
(60) days following its receipt of such notification has failed to cure the circumstances giving
rise to Good Reason.



7. Certain Covenants of Executive.



7.1 Covenants Against Competition. Executive acknowledges that (i) the principal businesses
of Employer involve diversified metals recycling and product manufacturing and such other and
related activities as Employer may become involved in (collectively the “Employer’s Business”);
(ii) the Employer’s Business is national in scope; and (iii) his work for Employer has brought him
and will continue to bring him into close contact with many confidential affairs not readily
available to the public. In order to induce Employer to enter into this Agreement, Executive
covenants and agrees that:



7.1.1 Non-Compete.



(a) During Executive’s employment with Employer, Executive shall not in the Eastern,
Midwestern, or Southern United States, including any market region in which Employer, its
subsidiaries or affiliates has done or contemplates doing business, directly or indirectly, (i)
engage in a business which is competitive with the Employer’s Business for his own account; (ii)
except for employment by Employer, its subsidiaries or affiliates, enter the employ of, or render
any services to, any person engaged in such activities; or (iii) become interested in any person
engaged in a business which is competitive with the Employer’s Business, directly or indirectly, as
an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, Executive, trustee,
consultant or in any other relationship or capacity; provided, however, that
Executive may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an investment, securities of any entity which
are traded on any national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market if Executive (a)
is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such entity, or (b) does
not, directly or indirectly, own 1% or more of any class of securities of such entity; and



(b) up to two (2) years following the termination (whether voluntary or involuntary) of
Executive’s employment with Employer or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries for any reason
whatsoever, Employer may elect to enforce one-year covenants set forth below by paying to
Executive, in addition to any amounts provided under Section 6, for each one-year period a lump sum
amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of his Base Salary as of the date of termination. This
lump sum amount shall be paid within ten (10) days of Executive’s termination for the first year
after termination and within ten (10) days of the first anniversary of the date of such termination
for the second year. Employer shall deliver written notice of its intent to enforce such one-year
covenants (i) as promptly as possible but in any event on or before the effective date of
termination for the first year, and (ii) not less than thirty (30) days before the first
anniversary of the date of such termination for the second year. The sum paid shall constitute a
payment to enforce the following covenants: (i) Executive shall not in the United States of America
to the detriment of Employer directly or indirectly contract, solicit, sell to, serve or divert
anyone who was a transporter, supplier or customer of Employer or did business with Employer during
Executive’s employment with Employer; and (ii) Executive shall not within two hundred (200) miles
of a plant owned by Employer, its subsidiary or an affiliate directly or indirectly engage in a
business which is competitive with the Employer’s Business for his own account or as a partner,
shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, Executive, trustee, consultant or in any other
capacity directly or indirectly.



7.1.2. Confidential Information. During and after the term of Executive’s employment with
Employer, Executive shall keep secret and retain in strictest confidence, and shall not use for the
benefit of himself or others except in connection with the business and affairs of Employer, all
confidential matters of Employer and its subsidiaries or affiliates, including, without limitation,
trade “know-how”, secrets, customer lists, details of contracts, pricing policies, operational
methods, marketing plans or strategies, business acquisition plans, new personnel acquisition
plans, research projects, and other business affairs of Employer, its subsidiaries, or affiliates,
heretofore or hereafter made available or disclosed to or developed by Executive, and shall not
disclose them to anyone, either during or after employment by Employer, except as required in the
course of performing duties hereunder or with Employer’s express written consent. Confidential
matters shall not include information that is public knowledge, obtained from third parties, and/or
required to be disclosed by law.



7.1.3 Property of Employer. All memoranda, notes, lists, records and other confidential and
proprietary items (and all copies thereof) made or compiled by Executive or made available to
Executive concerning the business of Employer, its subsidiaries or its affiliates and all equipment
of Employer in Executive’s control or possession shall be Employer’s property and shall be
delivered to Employer promptly upon the termination of Executive’s employment with Employer, or at
any other time on request. It is the intention of the parties that the broadest possible
protection be given to Employer’s trade secrets and other proprietary information and nothing in
this Section 7.1.3 shall in any way be construed to narrow or limit the protection and remedies
afforded by applicable law.



7.1.4. Employees of Employer. During Executive’s employment with Employer, and for a period
of two years following the termination (whether voluntary or involuntary) of Executive’s employment
with Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, solicit or encourage any Executive of Employer, its subsidiaries or its affiliates to
leave the employment of Employer, its subsidiaries or its affiliates.



7.1.5. Cooperation. Executive agrees to cooperate with Employer, during Executive’s
employment with Employer and thereafter (including following the Executive’s termination of
employment for any reason), by being reasonably available to testify on behalf of Employer or any
subsidiary or affiliate in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative, and to assist Employer, or any subsidiary or affiliate, in any
such action, suit or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board
or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to Employer, or any subsidiary or
affiliate, as reasonably requested. Employer agrees to reimburse Executive for all expenses
actually incurred or compensation lost in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance
(including attorneys’ fees incurred in connection therewith) upon submission of appropriate
documentation to Employer. Nothing in this Section 7.1.5 shall obligate Executive to provide
availability or services after the termination of his employment requiring excessive or materially
inconvenient commitments of Executive’s skills, time, or resources.



7.2 Rights and Remedies upon Breach. If Executive breaches, or threatens to commit a breach
of, any of the provisions of Section 7.1 (the “Restrictive Covenants”), Employer shall have the
following rights and remedies, each of which rights and remedies shall be independent of the other
and severally enforceable, and all of which rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in
lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to Employer under law or in equity:



7.2.1 Accounting. The right and remedy to require Executive to account for and pay over to
Employer all compensation, profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits (collectively,
“Benefits”) derived or received by Executive as the result of any transactions constituting a
breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants, and Executive shall account for and pay over such
Benefits to Employer.



7.3 Injunctive Relief. Executive acknowledges that due to the confidential nature of his
employment relationship, any breach of the Restrictive Covenants by Executive shall cause
irreparable harm to Employer and Employer may, at its option, obtain injunctive relief. Executive
further acknowledges that the scope and content of the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable.



7.4 Severability of Covenants. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any of
the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the
Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect, without regard
to the invalid portions.



7.5 Blue-Penciling. If a court of competent jurisdiction construes any of the Restrictive
Covenants, or any part thereof, to be unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or
the area covered thereby, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or area of such
provision and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.



7.6 Employer’s Default. If Employer defaults on any payments due under Section 3 herein
during the Employment Period or any payments due under Section 6 herein upon or after termination
of Executive’s employment, then unless Employer cures the default within sixty (60) days, the
Restrictive Covenants shall be terminated and declared null and void.



8. Indemnification.



8.1 Right to Indemnification. Employer shall indemnify and defend Executive if Executive is
made a party, or threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by
reason of the fact that Executive is or was a director or officer or Executive of Employer or any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates, in which capacity Executive is or was serving at the request of
Employer as a director, officer, Executive or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to Executive benefit plans,
whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is the Executive’s alleged action in an official
capacity while serving as a director, officer, Executive or agent, against all liabilities, costs,
expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
Proceeding to the fullest extent and in the manner set forth in and permitted or authorized by
Employer’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the general corporation law of the state of
incorporation of Employer, resolutions of the Board, and any other applicable law, as from time to
time in effect. Such indemnification shall continue as to Executive even if he has ceased to be a
director, officer, Executive or agent of Employer or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of
Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators. Employer shall advance to Executive all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding within twenty (20)
days after receipt by Employer of a written request for such advance. Such request shall include
undertakings by Executive (i) to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be
determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses and (ii) to
assign to Employer all rights of Executive to indemnification under any policy of directors and
officers liability insurance to the extent of the amount of expenses actually paid by Employer to
or on behalf of Executive.



8.2 Control of Defense. Unless precluded by an actual conflict of interest, Employer will
have the right to control the defense of any claim covered by this Section 8, using counsel
selected by Employer and reasonably satisfactory to Executive. In the event that a conflict of
interest prevents Employer from defending the claim, Executive shall do so at Employer’s expense
with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Employer, but Employer shall be entitled to participate in
the defense. Employer shall not settle any claim defended by it unless the settlement includes an
unconditional release of Executive from liability thereon or unless Executive consents to the
settlement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Executive shall not
settle any claim defended by Executive without the consent of Employer, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed. If Employer wishes to accept any settlement offer with respect
to a claim and Executive refuses to consent, Employer shall not be obligated to indemnify Executive
beyond the amount of the settlement so offered. Each party shall promptly notify the other party
of, and at all times keep the other informed with respect to, any claim covered by this Section 8.



8.3 No Presumption. Neither the failure of Employer (including the Board or their respective
independent legal counsel or Employer’s stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the
commencement of any Proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by Executive under Section 8.1
above that indemnification of Executive is proper because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct, nor a determination by Employer (including the Board or their respective independent legal
counsel or Employer’s stockholders) that Executive has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall create a presumption that Executive has not met the applicable standard of conduct.



8.4 Insurance. Employer agrees to continue and/or maintain a directors and officers liability
insurance policy covering Executive to the same extent Employer provides such coverage for its
other executive officers and directors and for not less than the amounts in effect for its other
executive officers and directors.



9. No Conflicting Agreement. Executive represents and warrants that, as of the effective date
of this Agreement, he will not be a party to any Agreement, contract or understanding which would
in any way restrict or prohibit him from undertaking or performing his employment in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.



10. Other Provisions.



10.1 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, faxed, or sent by certified, registered or
express mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, faxed, or if
mailed, three days after the date of mailing, as follows:



	 	 	 	 	 
	if to Employer, to:	 	Metalico, Inc.
186 North Avenue East
Cranford, NJ 07016

	if to Executive, to:	 	Carlos E. Agüero







10.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire Agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior Agreements, written or oral, with
respect thereto.



10.3 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable,
illegal or contrary to public policy by a court of competent jurisdiction, the parties hereto agree
that this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect except for such term or provision held to
be unenforceable.



10.4 Non-Disparagement. The parties agree that, during the Employment Period and thereafter
(including following Executive’s termination of employment for any reason): (i) Executive will not
make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing,
orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage Employer or
any subsidiary or affiliate or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors,
businesses or reputations; and (ii) the officers and directors of Employer will not make any
statements or representations or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally,
or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage Executive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude either Executive or
Employer from making truthful statements or disclosures that are required by applicable law,
regulation or legal process.



10.5 Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, canceled,
renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written
instrument signed by the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No
delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate
as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege
hereunder, nor any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege
hereunder.



10.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New Jersey applicable to Agreements made and to be performed entirely within
such State, without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions.



10.7 Taxes. Any payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any tax or
similar withholding requirements under applicable federal, state or local employment or income tax
laws or similar statutes or other provisions of law then in effect. This Agreement is intended to
comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder (“Section
409A”). To the extent that any provision in this Agreement is ambiguous as to its compliance with
Section 409A, the provision shall be interpreted in a manner so that no payment due to Executive
hereunder shall be deemed subject to an “additional tax” within the meaning of Section
409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A, each payment made under this Agreement
shall be treated as a separate payment. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of
this Agreement unless Executive has incurred a “termination of employment” from the Company within
the meaning of Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h)(1)(ii) promulgated under Section 409A.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable and necessary to comply with the restriction in
Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code concerning payments to “specified employees,” any payment made to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement on account of the Employee’s separation from service that
would otherwise be due hereunder within six months after such separation from service shall
nonetheless be delayed until the first business day of the seventh month following Executive’s
separation from service. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar
year of any payment. All reimbursements provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in
accordance with the requirements of Section 409A, including, where applicable, the requirement that
(i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during Executive’s lifetime (or during a shorter
period of time specified in this Agreement), (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement
during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar
year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made on or before the last day of the
calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to
reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Executive further
acknowledges that, while this Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A, any tax liability
incurred by Executive under Section 409A is solely the responsibility of Executive.



10.8 Assignment. This Agreement, and Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be
assigned by Executive. Employer may assign this Agreement and its rights, together with its
obligations, as stated in Section 6.6 hereunder in connection with any sale, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of its assets or business, whether by merger, consolidation
or otherwise.



10.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



10.10 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not
in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first
above written.



	 	 	 
	METALICO, INC.

	 	

	By:

	 	

	 

	 	

	
 
	 	Michael J. Drury
	
 
	 	Executive Vice President
	
 
	 	CARLOS E. AGÜERO